Going with the flow: Chinese hotel finds beauty in water

Beijing – Water is a precious resource in Beijing, a city often plagued by drought due to lack of rainfall. This was the design inspiration for hotel The Emperor Qianmen, where water flows freely and acts a luxury design element.

The Emperor Qianmen Hotel, Beijing

The Emperor Qianmen Hotel, Beijing

The Emperor Qianmen Hotel, Beijing

The Emperor Qianmen Hotel, Beijing

The Emperor Qianmen Hotel, Beijing

From the artificial waterfall in the reception area to the planters in the atrium that have water droplets clinging to the suspended rope from which they hang, water is omnipresent in the design by New York architects firm ASAP.

The hotel was built on the site of a Qing Dynasty public bath – indeed parts of the original marble wall remain and have been incorporated into the new location – and bathing is designed to be a key experience in each room. Each of the rooms include oversized bathrooms and some have a bath in the bedroom itself. The hotel also has a large rooftop bar, with a luxury spa and pool.

In our Fauna Fetish design direction, we examined how designers are turning to nature for inspiration, sometimes mimicking and exaggerating it for full effect. The Emperor Qianmen is a luxury take, turning everyday water into a luxurious experience.